Christmas Coming To Busch Gardens

JAMES CITY — With three weeks left before Christmas, Busch Gardens officials peeled back the wrapping on its plans to transform the park into a holiday winter wonderland - but visitors will have to wait until next year to experience it.

On Thursday, park officials announced plans to premiere Christmas Town in 2009, a holiday-themed attraction that will transform the grounds into a traditional holiday setting featuring live entertainment and rides beneath Christmas lights.

It will be the first time the Williamsburg-area theme park will have a December schedule since it opened in 1975.

In Christmas Town, visitors will be able to experience food, shopping and holiday traditions of the five European countries - England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Germany - around which the theme park is based. However, park officials noted that the availability of some rides and attractions will be dependent on weather.

Busch Gardens General Manager and Executive Vice President John Reilly made the announcement Thursday in the park's Abbey Stone Theater, with twinkling lights, fake snow and strolling carolers on the stage in the background.

He said the Christmas Town theme took two years to coordinate and plan.

"We'll kick off a season-long celebration for family and friends to gather for Christmas," Reilly said.

Christmas Town will start on Nov. 27, 2009, and officials plan to have the park open only Fridays through Sundays from 4-9 p.m. for the first few weeks. Then, from Dec. 18-27, 2009, the park will be open from 4-9 p.m. every night, except for Christmas night, when the park will be closed.

Admission will be $19.95, and advance tickets will go on sale in January. Guests with one- and two-year Busch Gardens passes will pay half-price for Christmas Town admission and will park for free.